The injured Phillies first baseman expects to begin rehab assignment within days.

On the day that Chase Utley officially made his return to the Phillies lineup, his right-side-of-the-infield buddy served notice that he's on the way back, too.

First baseman Ryan Howard underwent extensive testing on his torn Achilles Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, participated in batting practice and met with the media.

It was his first upbeat visit to CBP since crumbling to the ground while making the final out in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Cardinals last October 7.

Howard sounded optimistic in his session with the media and more good news followed about two hours later when during the Pirates-Phillies game it was announced that he will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Lakewood on Thursday night.

He will be the designated hitter for the BlueClaws, who will play West Virginia in his first game. Howard has had his number (29) retired by that franchise after playing for Lakewood in 2002 and rehabbing there in 2007 and 2010.

The BlueClaws are co-owned by Joe Finley, who is also a co-owner of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Howard said his left Achilles tendon, which ruptured as he tried to scramble out of the batter's box while grounding to second for the final out of the Phillies 2011 season, feels fine.

"It's really more about rebuilding strength in the calf and the rest of my foot," he said. "I had a little bit of a hitch in my giddy-up, but that's to be expected. I'm just getting to the point where I'm getting confident and comfortable running. You have to go through an entire process.

"I won't have Olympic time-trial speed and sorry fantasy owners, I won't be stealing bases, but whatever I've got is what I'm going to give."

Howard said his swing has been fine.

"Hitting-wise, there has been no problem," he said. "I don't feel any difference with my swing."

He did admit there was still "a little bit to go" before he truly felt ready to return to the Phillies.

"I don't know when I will be 100 percent; it may be until next year," he said. "But if I'm at 80 or 85 percent, all I can do is go out and give you 100 percent at 80 or 85 percent."

The maximum rehab assignment is 20 days meaning that if Howard uses the maximum amount of time, he could be activated in Los Angeles for a game against the Dodgers July 17 or wait for the team to return home for a series with the Giants that begins on July 20.